Financial aid fans - Feedback

University Business, Jan, 2003

I was interested in Patrick Clinton's article, "Inside Student Finance" [Student Finance Special section, October 2002]. I found it very "to the point" and relative to today's environment. The one point I would like to make, however, is that it is not always the Financial Aid Office that determines the policy re leveraging and scholarship awarding. Usually that is an upper-management decision in the realm of Enrollment Management, and these policies are forced on the aid office, like it or not. In most instances, upper management is being influenced by enrollment management consultants who promise big gains in net revenue while downplaying or ignoring the negative aspects of these practices. It is also interesting to note that opinions on "best practices" vary widely from consultant to consultant. As most higher-level administrators do not have a clear understanding of financial aid and all the parameters under which we operate, the aid office is almost always caught in the middle--playing a balancing act between practicing good stewardship of the monies we handle, remaining true to our commitment of fair and equitable treatment of students in awarding aid, and meeting the demands and goals of our administrators.

VENITA JONES, Director of Financial Aid

Florida Gulf Coast University

Fort Myers, FL

I especially enjoyed "Inside Student Finance" in the October 2002 issue. It would be nice if all universities would appreciate the role Financial Aid plays and the level of sophistication required to run our offices. Thanks for putting the word out there.

ANNITA HUFF, Director of Financial Aid

Washburn University

Topeka, KS